Cross River Youths Rescue Kidnapped Toddler, Apprehend Suspects

A two-year-old boy was kidnapped from the Bunyia Iruan community in the Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State and was rescued by local youths in the Ogberia Ochoro community, Ogoja Local Government Area. The suspects, identified as Suahnen Lorlumun and Sekeghshie Silas, both 17 years old, were apprehended by the community vigilante group while allegedly attempting to take the boy through the community.

An eyewitness reported that the suspects were stopped and tied to a concrete wall fence before police arrived. The Clan Head of Bunyia Iruan brought the suspects to the Okubuchi Police Outpost for their safety due to concerns they could be lynched.

ASP Sunday Eitokpah, the state police command Public Relations Officer, confirmed the incident, stating that the suspects were later released into the custody of the Clan Head, accompanied by three officials from the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons from Calabar. The boy had been kidnapped two days prior to the rescue.